Unprofessional game Journalist thinks ‘cosplay is consent’ – A harassment story from PAX EAST

People’s mindset need to change.

Isn’t it sad when people try to invade others’ privacy? A representative of a gaming outlet harassed Lara Croft cosplayers at PAX EAST, asking a really uncomfortable question, and this was documented by Crystal Dynamics’ community manager Megan Marie on her blog.

It’s a deep, eye opening read so I would recommend people to go there, but there’s a point I need to make. Women in revealing costumes is not an indicator of consent. Men need to realise this; most of them do, of course, but when such incidents happen in 2013, something needs to be done about it.

The entire mindset needs to change. One cosplayer who saw the whole thing, was interviewed by The Mary Sue and here’s what she had to say:

“At other conventions I have done more revealing costumes like Rogue, Emma Frost, Huntress, and Wonder Woman. I had always liked the Tomb Raider game, the comics and the movies,” she said.

“I had played the demo in SDCC this past summer and was just blown away by the graphics and just how incredible it was. I decided on Friday to wear khakis, a grey tank top and my official Tomb Raider necklace to the Tomb Raider panel.”

“The other Laras all wore khakis, combat boots, grey tanks, had a bow and did some blood makeup. I think we were all pretty excited. We were taking pictures in the booth and then we moved out towards the walkway so that people walking by could see a group of Lara Crofts. We took more pictures and then this guy comes up and asks if he could ask a few questions. His partner had a more professional looking camera and so I think all of us just shrugged and said ok.”

Then the interviewer asked a question: “How does it feel to be at a convention where none of the men could please you?”

Such a thing needs no explanation really and reflects badly on the outlet the guy was representing. Sadly, Megan Marie didn’t name the outlet and wished to keep it anon, and that’s perfectly a right thing because of how quickly things can spiral out of control on the internet.

What are your thoughts on this? Let us know in the comments section below.